Hi! I'm so glad to see you all again! Enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: Nothing's changed, I still don't own anything Tolkien wrote/invented. **pout** But hey, one can dream can't she?
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Chappie 2 Message From Ithilien
Legolas refused to talk to anyone. He now wore all black, from head to toe. Gimli was worried, but asking Legolas what was wrong was a waste of time. Gimli finally decided to speak with King Thranduil about his son.
Gimli found him in the west hall library. "Excuse me sir, but would you mind perhaps explaining Legolas' strange behavior?"
The King turned to look his son's odd friend. Gimli had proven himself a friend of the elves many times during his stay with them, but he still did not like talking about the day his people had been caught off guard by lowly orcs. He sighed; Gimli had the right to know what was bothering Legolas. "Has Legolas ever told you why he was so eager to join the Fellowship?"
Gimli thought, no, in fact Legolas hadn't ever mentioned much of anything about his life before the Fellowship and the War. Now that he thought about it, Legolas had acted particular whenever a conversation ever seemed that it may head in that direction. He had never really paid much attention to that, but now it seemed rather strange. "No, not at all."
Thranduil sighted again and rubbed his temples; "I'll start from the beginning then. Twenty-two years ago Legolas fell in love with an elven maiden, Rinathen. Rinathen was very beautiful and happy. Everyone loved her, but Legolas loved her more than any. She in turn, loved Legolas. They were very happy together, and it was a rare day when they did spend time with each other.
"Their bliss lasted seven delightful years. In June in the eighth year, Legolas asked her to marry him. Of course she said yes and the following day all of Mirkwood was in celebration of what we had been waiting patiently to happen all along. Aragorn and some of the elves of Rivendell had arrived the previous day, which added to the reason of celebration. But that day that was to be of festivity was instead turned to a day of disastrous events. We were left unprepared for what happened next.
"Orcs attacked. Eventually we were able to able to drive them out, but not before we had paid for my oversight in leaving no guards throughout the forest. They killed many, but they only took one elf alive . . ."
"Rinathen?"
"Yes." The king now crossed the room to look out into the forest, "Yes, they took Rinathen. It almost was the end of Legolas. At first we had thought that both Legolas and Rinathen had been taken, but we later found Legolas barely alive under two orcs that had fallen in battle, two arrows in his back. I almost think it would have been better if the orcs had taken him as well, so that he could have been with her. For days he sat in bed, impaired from refusing to eat or drink, calling out to Rinathen. He would twist in bed, fighting orcs that were not there. The nights were worse. Once he even threatened the healer tending to him, refusing to free him until the other five 'orcs' (Aragorn, Elrond, his two sons, and I who were trying to pry him from the terrified healer) released Rinathen. Finally Aragorn was able to coax him to eat. He strength was recovered. He was able to get up and walk around without going berserk on every other person he saw as well. The bad thing with his recovered strength was that now he would spend the days in the forest, searching for any sign of Rinathen. Everyday he would venture further from the halls; making it more dangerous for him as he refused to go with anyone and we had to leave him unarmed for fear that he would go insane with despair and harm himself or others. Aragorn followed him, and if he hadn't I sometimes wonder if Legolas would still be alive or with us today."
"But what does that have to do with now? We've been back here a month and he's just now begun acting this way . . ."
"Don't you remember what date he said it was when he first returned? Don't you know what day it was?"
"Yes . . . he said 'It's June 27' . . . and it was . . . but-" he looked to the king, understanding dawning in his eyes, "June 27 was the day of the attack.
The king nodded. Gimli turned away, he knew what it was like to lose the one you loved.
"Mithrandir thinks that the only reason that Legolas was able to survive a broken heart (A/N: elves can only die of a broken heart and in battle, in case u didn't know) was because there is some sort of connection between them that they can know, to some extent, what condition the other is in. Legolas doesn't know this so he can't 'tune into' Rinathen more than to know that she is alive, and that knowledge is what has kept him alive so far. Though, the last time Gandalf spoke to me, he said that Legolas seems to be losing that gift, and is therefore losing the feeling that she is still alive somewhere. The hope that he will ever see Rinathen again is disappearing with that sense. If he cannot restore his belief that she still lives, then he will die, and not in battle as a warrior should."
Gimli was silent. He did not know what to say to that. Finally he spoke, "What can I do to help him?"
"Take him somewhere, anywhere, as long as it doesn't remind him of what happened," The king thought a while, "Take him and go visit Aragorn. It should do him good to see him again, and perhaps Aragorn will know of a way to help."
Gimli nodded and left to get Legolas to help him to prepare to leave.
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It had been five days since the intruders from out of Mordor had arrived on the borders of Gondor. Aragorn was feeling very uneasy with how long they had been there without making their purpose known.
Aragorn looked out the window. The troops were still camped on the mountain near Minas Morgul he knew, although he could no longer see them. He had reluctantly returned to Minas Tirith the day before to please Arwen. He could see nothing, and his spies had reported nothing new. No runners had arrived at the City. He itched to look into the stone, but Arwen had hidden it within twenty minutes of their return to prevent him from consulting it every five minutes (as he had been doing). There was a feeling in the air, a feeling of foreboding and darkness. The dark feel troubled him. He was fearful of what it could mean.
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Legolas and Gimli rode through the forest of Mirkwood at a fast pace. Legolas looked sickly and pale. Gimli wanted to get his friend to Gondor as quickly as possible. Hopefully Aragorn would know how to help.
They spent two days riding hard through Rohan. Gimli would have liked to ride straight through, but he veered east in order to avoid Emyn Muil and the Dead Marshes. On the third day they entered Gondor. That afternoon they were able to reach Minas Tirith.
When they arrived Aragorn looked as if he hadn't slept in a week, but he was obviously happy to see them. One look at Legolas and he knew exactly why Gimli had brought him. He shook his head, Aragorn knew that it was hopeless, but he tried to restore Legolas to life as best he could.
Once Legolas and Gimli had eaten a good meal (which took awhile due to Legolas' lack of wanting to eat at all) Aragorn told them what had happened. Gimli and Legolas were both shocked to discover what they had been missing in Mirkwood. With a new incentive to aid his old friend, Legolas was able to shake himself out of his depression, although he refused to change from the jet-black garb he now wore, and he was soon up and about helping Arwen and Gimli attempt to distract Aragorn from the problems that laid to the east.
Whenever Aragorn looked at Legolas however, it couldn't shake from his mind the picture of a woman, atop a snow white horse, wearing black clothing.
~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~
Legolas and Gimli were with Aragorn in his study. He was staring out the window (as he did most days now) when the messenger finally came on the sixth day since the intruders had come.
Aragorn looked down. The gates below were opening and a mounted messenger was entering. One of his captains entered, "News from the-" but he was not allowed to finish. Aragorn was already halfway down the road to meet the messenger, leaving Legolas and Gimli to follow him from a distance with the captain.
Aragorn was surprised to find not a messenger, but one of his best spies. It phased him for only a moment, however, and then he demanded the message, but the young man looked around at the audience they seemed to have acquired. "If you would, my King, I believe that you alone should hear the news I bring."
Aragorn nodded quickly and waved the young man to follow him. Aragorn returned to the study where he had been moments before. Halfway back, he met Legolas and Gimli still following, not knowing where he had disappeared to in the crowd. Legolas and Gimli sighed as they turned around and followed him back up to the room. Once there, Aragorn looked to his spy with eagerness.
The spy looked at the guests aprehensivly, "Sir . . ."
"They are old friends of mine. Now, what of the troops at Minas Morgal?" Aragorn almost yelled.
The spy glanced at them once more but then began; "The woman- who seems to have some position of great importance- came down the mountain this morning. She did not ride her horse, but yet she still carried an air of, well, put simply, authority. She walked purposefully straight to the tree in which I was sitting. She looked straight up at me and demanded me to come down in order for her to give me a message to my king. 'Even though he left an hour ago to return to Minas Tirith' were her exact words. I did as she requested, noting that she was armed better than I-"
"Better than you?"
"Yes, she had a bow and full quiver, two knives of different lengths, a sword, a dagger, a small battle ax, a scimitar, and one weapon that I did not recognize, as well as a shield. Most likely she had more hidden beneath her cloak."
At this information Aragorn was surprised, he had not expected this turn of events, "And the message was what exactly?"
"She wishes audience here, in Minas Tirith." Aragorn raised his eyebrows. "That's all she said . . ." ended the messenger.
Aragorn moved to the window (again). He stared out (for the twentieth time that day) and rubbed his temple. "Go back, tell Stephir to bring her. Tell him that I don't want all of the spies to leave, and I don't want all of them in the open either. I want a small number of them hidden. If she has been watching that closely enough to know which tree you were in she might know how many men are there, perhaps she will think that there are more than she assumes. Take a few extra troops though, to keep them in line if need be. Did we get a count?"
"About thirty-five troops sir. Take more than a few?"
Aragorn turned from the window. "No, I don't want them here more than need be before I know who they are and what they really want; I need you to move fast. Take no more than fifteen, all mounted. Travel as light as you can, but make sure that you all are fully equipped. If you feel the need, take extra weapons for the others still in Ithilien."
"Right sir." With that he left to get the men and set out. Aragorn began to pace the room, what did it all mean he wondered.
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Personal Review Stuff:
Ainaurien: Thank you, you shall see how it falls into place.
Panther: Thanks for your review. I'm so sorry that you had to remove your story! :~( Same as I said to Ainaurien, you shall see how it all works out.
Icy: Thanks! I'm glad you like the name, it took me a long time to come up with. (Same as I said to Panther and Ainaurien) You shall find out how my strange thought (if you can really call it thought, and not just plain insanity ;~) ) process works and makes it so that it all works.
**gives warm, gooey brownies to reviewers** Thank you all! But now it's time to leave your kind words again. . . meaning review! :~) (please?)
Disclaimer: Nothing's changed, I still don't own anything Tolkien wrote/invented. **pout** But hey, one can dream can't she?
~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~
Chappie 2 Message From Ithilien
Legolas refused to talk to anyone. He now wore all black, from head to toe. Gimli was worried, but asking Legolas what was wrong was a waste of time. Gimli finally decided to speak with King Thranduil about his son.
Gimli found him in the west hall library. "Excuse me sir, but would you mind perhaps explaining Legolas' strange behavior?"
The King turned to look his son's odd friend. Gimli had proven himself a friend of the elves many times during his stay with them, but he still did not like talking about the day his people had been caught off guard by lowly orcs. He sighed; Gimli had the right to know what was bothering Legolas. "Has Legolas ever told you why he was so eager to join the Fellowship?"
Gimli thought, no, in fact Legolas hadn't ever mentioned much of anything about his life before the Fellowship and the War. Now that he thought about it, Legolas had acted particular whenever a conversation ever seemed that it may head in that direction. He had never really paid much attention to that, but now it seemed rather strange. "No, not at all."
Thranduil sighted again and rubbed his temples; "I'll start from the beginning then. Twenty-two years ago Legolas fell in love with an elven maiden, Rinathen. Rinathen was very beautiful and happy. Everyone loved her, but Legolas loved her more than any. She in turn, loved Legolas. They were very happy together, and it was a rare day when they did spend time with each other.
"Their bliss lasted seven delightful years. In June in the eighth year, Legolas asked her to marry him. Of course she said yes and the following day all of Mirkwood was in celebration of what we had been waiting patiently to happen all along. Aragorn and some of the elves of Rivendell had arrived the previous day, which added to the reason of celebration. But that day that was to be of festivity was instead turned to a day of disastrous events. We were left unprepared for what happened next.
"Orcs attacked. Eventually we were able to able to drive them out, but not before we had paid for my oversight in leaving no guards throughout the forest. They killed many, but they only took one elf alive . . ."
"Rinathen?"
"Yes." The king now crossed the room to look out into the forest, "Yes, they took Rinathen. It almost was the end of Legolas. At first we had thought that both Legolas and Rinathen had been taken, but we later found Legolas barely alive under two orcs that had fallen in battle, two arrows in his back. I almost think it would have been better if the orcs had taken him as well, so that he could have been with her. For days he sat in bed, impaired from refusing to eat or drink, calling out to Rinathen. He would twist in bed, fighting orcs that were not there. The nights were worse. Once he even threatened the healer tending to him, refusing to free him until the other five 'orcs' (Aragorn, Elrond, his two sons, and I who were trying to pry him from the terrified healer) released Rinathen. Finally Aragorn was able to coax him to eat. He strength was recovered. He was able to get up and walk around without going berserk on every other person he saw as well. The bad thing with his recovered strength was that now he would spend the days in the forest, searching for any sign of Rinathen. Everyday he would venture further from the halls; making it more dangerous for him as he refused to go with anyone and we had to leave him unarmed for fear that he would go insane with despair and harm himself or others. Aragorn followed him, and if he hadn't I sometimes wonder if Legolas would still be alive or with us today."
"But what does that have to do with now? We've been back here a month and he's just now begun acting this way . . ."
"Don't you remember what date he said it was when he first returned? Don't you know what day it was?"
"Yes . . . he said 'It's June 27' . . . and it was . . . but-" he looked to the king, understanding dawning in his eyes, "June 27 was the day of the attack.
The king nodded. Gimli turned away, he knew what it was like to lose the one you loved.
"Mithrandir thinks that the only reason that Legolas was able to survive a broken heart (A/N: elves can only die of a broken heart and in battle, in case u didn't know) was because there is some sort of connection between them that they can know, to some extent, what condition the other is in. Legolas doesn't know this so he can't 'tune into' Rinathen more than to know that she is alive, and that knowledge is what has kept him alive so far. Though, the last time Gandalf spoke to me, he said that Legolas seems to be losing that gift, and is therefore losing the feeling that she is still alive somewhere. The hope that he will ever see Rinathen again is disappearing with that sense. If he cannot restore his belief that she still lives, then he will die, and not in battle as a warrior should."
Gimli was silent. He did not know what to say to that. Finally he spoke, "What can I do to help him?"
"Take him somewhere, anywhere, as long as it doesn't remind him of what happened," The king thought a while, "Take him and go visit Aragorn. It should do him good to see him again, and perhaps Aragorn will know of a way to help."
Gimli nodded and left to get Legolas to help him to prepare to leave.
~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~
It had been five days since the intruders from out of Mordor had arrived on the borders of Gondor. Aragorn was feeling very uneasy with how long they had been there without making their purpose known.
Aragorn looked out the window. The troops were still camped on the mountain near Minas Morgul he knew, although he could no longer see them. He had reluctantly returned to Minas Tirith the day before to please Arwen. He could see nothing, and his spies had reported nothing new. No runners had arrived at the City. He itched to look into the stone, but Arwen had hidden it within twenty minutes of their return to prevent him from consulting it every five minutes (as he had been doing). There was a feeling in the air, a feeling of foreboding and darkness. The dark feel troubled him. He was fearful of what it could mean.
~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~
Legolas and Gimli rode through the forest of Mirkwood at a fast pace. Legolas looked sickly and pale. Gimli wanted to get his friend to Gondor as quickly as possible. Hopefully Aragorn would know how to help.
They spent two days riding hard through Rohan. Gimli would have liked to ride straight through, but he veered east in order to avoid Emyn Muil and the Dead Marshes. On the third day they entered Gondor. That afternoon they were able to reach Minas Tirith.
When they arrived Aragorn looked as if he hadn't slept in a week, but he was obviously happy to see them. One look at Legolas and he knew exactly why Gimli had brought him. He shook his head, Aragorn knew that it was hopeless, but he tried to restore Legolas to life as best he could.
Once Legolas and Gimli had eaten a good meal (which took awhile due to Legolas' lack of wanting to eat at all) Aragorn told them what had happened. Gimli and Legolas were both shocked to discover what they had been missing in Mirkwood. With a new incentive to aid his old friend, Legolas was able to shake himself out of his depression, although he refused to change from the jet-black garb he now wore, and he was soon up and about helping Arwen and Gimli attempt to distract Aragorn from the problems that laid to the east.
Whenever Aragorn looked at Legolas however, it couldn't shake from his mind the picture of a woman, atop a snow white horse, wearing black clothing.
~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~
Legolas and Gimli were with Aragorn in his study. He was staring out the window (as he did most days now) when the messenger finally came on the sixth day since the intruders had come.
Aragorn looked down. The gates below were opening and a mounted messenger was entering. One of his captains entered, "News from the-" but he was not allowed to finish. Aragorn was already halfway down the road to meet the messenger, leaving Legolas and Gimli to follow him from a distance with the captain.
Aragorn was surprised to find not a messenger, but one of his best spies. It phased him for only a moment, however, and then he demanded the message, but the young man looked around at the audience they seemed to have acquired. "If you would, my King, I believe that you alone should hear the news I bring."
Aragorn nodded quickly and waved the young man to follow him. Aragorn returned to the study where he had been moments before. Halfway back, he met Legolas and Gimli still following, not knowing where he had disappeared to in the crowd. Legolas and Gimli sighed as they turned around and followed him back up to the room. Once there, Aragorn looked to his spy with eagerness.
The spy looked at the guests aprehensivly, "Sir . . ."
"They are old friends of mine. Now, what of the troops at Minas Morgal?" Aragorn almost yelled.
The spy glanced at them once more but then began; "The woman- who seems to have some position of great importance- came down the mountain this morning. She did not ride her horse, but yet she still carried an air of, well, put simply, authority. She walked purposefully straight to the tree in which I was sitting. She looked straight up at me and demanded me to come down in order for her to give me a message to my king. 'Even though he left an hour ago to return to Minas Tirith' were her exact words. I did as she requested, noting that she was armed better than I-"
"Better than you?"
"Yes, she had a bow and full quiver, two knives of different lengths, a sword, a dagger, a small battle ax, a scimitar, and one weapon that I did not recognize, as well as a shield. Most likely she had more hidden beneath her cloak."
At this information Aragorn was surprised, he had not expected this turn of events, "And the message was what exactly?"
"She wishes audience here, in Minas Tirith." Aragorn raised his eyebrows. "That's all she said . . ." ended the messenger.
Aragorn moved to the window (again). He stared out (for the twentieth time that day) and rubbed his temple. "Go back, tell Stephir to bring her. Tell him that I don't want all of the spies to leave, and I don't want all of them in the open either. I want a small number of them hidden. If she has been watching that closely enough to know which tree you were in she might know how many men are there, perhaps she will think that there are more than she assumes. Take a few extra troops though, to keep them in line if need be. Did we get a count?"
"About thirty-five troops sir. Take more than a few?"
Aragorn turned from the window. "No, I don't want them here more than need be before I know who they are and what they really want; I need you to move fast. Take no more than fifteen, all mounted. Travel as light as you can, but make sure that you all are fully equipped. If you feel the need, take extra weapons for the others still in Ithilien."
"Right sir." With that he left to get the men and set out. Aragorn began to pace the room, what did it all mean he wondered.
~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~ ^ ~
Personal Review Stuff:
Ainaurien: Thank you, you shall see how it falls into place.
Panther: Thanks for your review. I'm so sorry that you had to remove your story! :~( Same as I said to Ainaurien, you shall see how it all works out.
Icy: Thanks! I'm glad you like the name, it took me a long time to come up with. (Same as I said to Panther and Ainaurien) You shall find out how my strange thought (if you can really call it thought, and not just plain insanity ;~) ) process works and makes it so that it all works.
**gives warm, gooey brownies to reviewers** Thank you all! But now it's time to leave your kind words again. . . meaning review! :~) (please?)
